Fodor's Expert Review Hotel Villa La Vedetta

Hovering over the city just off Piazzale Michelangelo, the sprawling and stunning resort of Villa La Vedetta is an urban oasis. The property is relatively young (around 150 years old – young in Florentine terms) and was built as a residence for a former ambassador. Today, the opulent five-star estate features a quiet pool, outdoor dining, and million-dollar views of Florence. Ideal for romantic couples with means or families with no budget, this villa is an ideal spot to get away from city chaos while still being quite close by.

The Villa is very kid-friendly and has everything from customized menus, to welcome kits, to babysitting services.

room

Stately rooms come with epic views, hardwood floors, flat-screen TVs, and plenty of modern art mixed with antique furnishings – a signature of the hotel in general. All rooms come with tea and coffee and guests are given bottled water on arrival.

Pets are more than welcome here. In fact, Fido will be given his/her own bed, food bowl, doggie toys, and even grooming and pet-sitting services.

bathroom

Stunning bathrooms are awash in marble and have bidets, towel heaters, and Ortigia products. The best part of the bathrooms is that all but one has Jacuzzi tubs!

lobby

Made to feel like a homey living room, the lobby area has chic mosaic tiled floors, plush red couches, and a fun mix of antique and contemporary art.

Take time to explore the property. The rooftop terrace is affectionately called the “I Do Terrace” as its been home to more than a few wedding proposals in its time.

pool

The outdoor and exquisitely manicured pool is open from 9 am-6 pm and has a handy pool bar serving up snacks and drinks in the summer.

spa

There’s a small sauna that guests can book for themselves in advance. If you want massages, you can order them directly to your room.

gym

We would be hard-pressed to call this an actual gym, but there are two cardio machines if you need to work up a sweat. We’d advise walking up and down the hill from the villa to the city and back for some leg work.

dining

For breakfast, guests will enjoy an uber-healthy array of options on the main outdoor terrace looking over the city. For lunch and dinner, the hotel restaurant sits by the pool and serves up new twists on classic Tuscan cuisine.

drinking

Next to the restaurant is the Onice bar that has a generous apperitivo and a fully equipped selection of wines and liquor.